Electric signaling apparatus.



No. 696,372. Patented Mar. .25, I902.

F. B. HERZUG.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS. (Application filed Nov. 11, 188 8. RehewedMar. 1, 1902.)

3 Sheets$hoet I.

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

TH: yearns PETERS co, PHOYOLITHOH wAsmNuroN, n. c

No. 696,372. Patented Mar. 25-, 1902.

F. B. nanzoe.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS. 7

(Appl 12 nflldN 11 1886 RenwdM 1 1902) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

777/ 20 L WITH/8858. V

HERZUG.

Patented Mar. 25,

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

(Application filed Nov. 11, 1888. Renewed Mar. 1, 1902.)

(No Model.)

3 Sheets-8heet 3.

w: NDRRiS Parana co. PnoTo-uma. WASHINGTUN. n. c.

Mrs Tarn arnnr rrrcn.

FELIX BENEDICT IIERZOG, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC SIGNALING APPARATUS.

sEECIIEIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 696,372, dated March25, 1902. Application filed November 11,1886. Renewed March 1, 1902.Serial No. 96,288. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FELIX BENEDICT HER- ZOG, a citizen of the UnitedStates, and a resident of New York city, in the county of New York andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inElectric Signaling Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electric signaling apparatus 5 and it consistsin various improvements therein, as herein set forth.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is the front, Fig. 2 is a centralsection, and Fig. 3 is a back view of one form of my'newsignaltransmitting apparatus. Fig. dis a combined front and sectionalView of another signaltransmitter forming another part of the system.Fig. 5 is a diagram of the circuit system and connections. Fig. 6 is thereceiving instrument; Fig. 7, a modification thereof; Fig. 8, a detail.Fig. 9 is an alternative diagram of the circuit and connections.

Trcmsmittcr.Figs. 1, 2, and 3 embody one instance of my newsignal-transmitter, among the novel features of which are, first, thatit can be set to transmit any one of various signals according as it isset by the transmitting operator, and, if desired, he may change suchsignal in accordance with a change of intention until the time when thereceiving operator (or automatic receiving apparatus) has begun theoperation of receiving the sig-' nal, after which time the transmittingoperator loses all control of the signal; second,that

.it continues to indicate at the transmittingstation the last signaltransmitted, and,

thirdly, in manyother novel features of construction, only some of whichwill be claimed herein. In the instance shown as the preferredconstruction the entire mechanism is inclosed in a box with a cover Q.When the cover is opened, access is given to the spindle A, projectingthrough glass GL in such a manner that it can be rotated by the fingersof the operator, but in one direction only, as to its other end is fixeda supporting-bushing WV, which plays in proper bearings in the frame EEand carries a fixed ratchet-wheel O, which, cooperating-with the usualpawl G, permits rotation in one direction only. To the under side ofthis ratchet-wheel is fixed a pin 30,-which as the wheel rotates pushesing zero-spot D, the use of which will be explained hereinafter. Thehand B and the pin 30 on the ratchet-wheel O are fixed in relation toeach other, as also are the lug 31 on the shaft Maud the zero-spot D onthe wheel 0 all combining so that after the spindle A has been rotatedsufficiently to bring the cooperating pin 30 and lug 31 together theindications on the dial over which E plays will correspond to therelative positions of the zero-space, (and the point of the brush F,)and hence of the signal which the apparatus is then in a condition totransmit. If in setting the hand it has passed beyond the desiredindication, the spindle can be rotated still farther, so as to bring thepointer for a second time to the desired indication. There areas manyteeth on the step-wheel as there. are signalindications to betransmitted. The magnet described is controlled to move the secondratchet-wheel 0 step by step, one step for every impulse of the mag net,and these impulses are sent from the receiving-station in a manner to bedescribed hereinafter. At every step of the Wheel the insulatedzero-spot D (which may either be a hole in the metal wheel or a rubberinsertion) is advanced one step nearer the fixed position of thecooperating contact-brush F,

and therefore it will take a fixed number of steps of the wheel to bringit from a position of rest to a position in which the insulated spotwill be carried under the point of the contact-brush. As the magnet H isarranged in series with this brush and the metal of the wheel, it isobvious that as soon as this occurs further advance of the wheel will beimpossible, because the magnet will be out out of action. The method ofoperation to be described more in detail hereinafter is that impulses orcurrent interruptions are originated and counted at thereceiving-station, and for every such impulse the transmitter isadvanced one step until it can advance no more, because the circuit isbroken at the instant that it is at the step, when the magnet is cut outby the arrival of the insulated spot under the brush. The receivingapparatus at the receiving-station is in series with this magnet, and italso will be affected by this interruption. Therefore the number ofsteps made by the magnet and wheel in the transmitter would be indicatedby the number of impulses marked at the receiver, and from this numberthe position of the transmitter at starting can be instantly deduced.This transmitter is what I have in a number of patents called animpulse-actuated transmitter of the latent-signal type, incontradistinction to a spring actuated transmitter, in the usual formsof which the impulses which actuate the receiving apparatus areoriginated in the transmitter instead of at the receiving-station and inwhich instead of the step-by-step impulsemotor there is aspring-actuated clockwork, which controls an impulse of the break-wheel.Other forms of'impulse actuated transmitter are those in which insteadof the permanent rupture at the end'of the circuit, as in the formherein shown, the differentiation -point is marked by a temporarybreak-or change in potential, as shown in my United States Patent No.292,115. This explanation is necessary in view of the fact that some ofthe receiving apparatus described hereinafter is shown as adapted withslight modifications to control the reception of signals fromtransmitters of the other types just referred to.

The step-by step movement just described operates to bring the zero ordifferentiation spott-o its normal position of restunder thecontact-brush, the motion being such as-to bring the spindle of theratchet-wheel O (and hence the lug 31 on that spindle) away from the pin30 on the ratchet-wheel O, with which pin 30 the'said lug 31 is normallyin engagement atfthe moment when the setting operat-or hasvfin-ished'setting and before the secondspindle has been moved by thestep-bystep motion, the result of this being that though the Flowerspindle, with its wheel, changes position-the upper spindle and itswheel, as wellas thepointer "showin g over the dial, are left where theywere placed, and thus serve tomark the signal last sent.

Detector mechanism.-As so far described the transmitter is complete andhas a'number of novel characteristics; but in order toprotect' thedetector-hand against accidental or intentional interference I add thefollowing novel'apparatus: I so construct the hinged cover of the casethat the hasp-lug V, enter-- ing the latch U, is caught by it. Thisserves, in-addition to itsfunction as a catch, to complete the circuitwhich leads by wire V to the hinge R and as described hereinafter. Thebox remains locked until after the time when,

after the apparatus is again at zero, as far as its transmittingmechanism is concerned, an operator or attendant opens it byinserting asuitably-shaped key into hole X, and thereby pushes aside the catch U.After the box has been opened and the position of the detectorhandBfound to agree with the signal received and attended to the attendantmoves this hand back to its normal or zero position, and thereby causesthe pin on wheelGto push elbow-crank T (fulcrumed on TT) into suchposition that its longer arm movesthe catch U away from possibleengagement with the hasp V, and thus prevents the box from being lockedexcept when it is in condition to transmit some signal.

Coin-controlled mec7ian'ism.As so far described, the apparatus is in allrespects operative; but for certain purposes, where it is necessary forthe receiving operator to have further guarantee that the instrument hasbeen properly'set or if not that any trouble incident to its operationwill be paid or vouched for, I combine therewith the apparatus shown inFig. 4 and typified as 1, 2, and 3 in Fig. 5. This consists of a box inwhich is cuta slot (just large enough to admit a coin or disk of a givensize) which opens into a passage, at the end. of which is a spring-trapb, which is deflected by the weight of the coin or disk, which if largeenough to fully open the trap will as it falls to the lower receptaclecause the circuit to be made by engagement ofb and c and will operatethe corresponding'drop in the annunciator N, Fig. 5, the circuit beingas follows: battery 00, bell CB, corresponding drop in N,12,coin-contacts b and a, wire 13, hinge R, wire V hasp and latch V U, wireU junction-screw P, frame E, wires 3, 5, and 6, and back to battery.

Receiving-station apparatus, for the fullest embodiment of theinvention, comprises the manipulative instrument or electrolytic penshownin Fig. 6, the automatic circuit-controlling-device, including therheotomic motor, shown in detail in Fig. 8, an annunciator with asuitable drop or other indicating device for each line, showncollectively, as N,

with a common alarm, shown as a bell, (see B in Figs. 5 and 9,) and aseparate switching device JJ,there being one such device for eachsubstation where the apparatus is arranged to cooperate with more thanone station. In addition to these parts there is a ground-plate GP onone side of the-battery and a corresponding ground for each of theswitching devices JJ, although it is obvious that one ground connectionmay be arranged to cooperate with a number'of these.

The manipulative pen shown in Fig. 6 consists of a holder or handler,containing a stylus t, of tin, platinum, or iron, as the case may be.Surrounding this stylus on the sides, and so that the pin may protrude atrifle, or otherwise placed in such proximity to it that a portion of itwill precede the stylus as the holder is drawn over the paper is acollar or pad S, of suitable absorbent material, such as felt or sponge.This holder or penis normally kept in a suitable receptacle, as the jarI-Ih, Fig. 5, and a suitable cork or extension 37 prevents theevaporation of the liquid. This bottle contains an aqueous solution ofpotassium iodid or any other solution adapted to cooperate with themetal of which the stylus is made, so as to produce the electrolyticmark when a current passes through a sheet of paper wet with thissolution in a manner well known in chemical telegraphy. This instrumentis designed to be brought into relation with the circuit in anysuitablemanner. a For instance, as here shown, the binding-post at the upperendis designed to receive a flexible wire connection 8, and the apparatusis designed to be taken from the bottle when required and drawn over astrip of paper, so that while currentflows through the circuit withwhich it is connected a mark will bemade on the paper, and this-markwill cease as soon as the current ceases, it being understood that onthe other side otthe paper is a suitable metal plate representing thecontinuation of the circuit. A modification of this device is shown, asFig. 7, in which there are two styluses tand 25, forming a loop, eachconnected to a circuit extension, the first being connected as before,and the connection of the second representing the equivalentof the metalwhich in the first formwould be.

under the paper. The absorbent pad. S, as

before, preceded the stylus, thus preparing the otherwise unpreparedpaper to receive I consider this device so novel the mark. that'it maybe varied widely without departing from the general purposes of theinvention. As herein shown, the paper PP designed to receive the mark isa tape wound on a reel KK, there being onesuch reel for each of theswitching devices.

The rheotomic circuit controlling device shown in detail inFigrS andrepresentedtypically as V, Fig. 5, comprises, essentially, a break-wheel20, having a number of teeth to operate with the contact-brush 21, sothat as the wheel revolves it will cause successive impulses in thecircuit. This wheel is mounted on the shaft Y, upon whichis also mounteda step-by-step or impulse wheel f, the latter driven-by magnet Zandimpu'lse-pawl 23, regulating-weight 22, self-circuit breaking ortrembler contacts R The circuits in this rheotome are fromthe batteryend a wire 7 connected to the breakwheel, (as through the shaft V,) andthence out to the contact-brush and out to the ma nipulative instrumentor pen and a second circuit or branch 7, including in seriesrheotome-contacts R and the magnet Z, and then by common wire 9, leadingto branches 9 9 9, &c., tothe respective switching instruments.

General circuit orgum'eation, as shown fully in Fig. 9, comprisesbattery 00 and the and the ordinary general return-wire 6, this havingsuitable connection from this side of the battery being for the purposesof illustration considered as a general return. From each substation twowires lead to the central station, one wire being the call-wire andcomprising the hasp in the box, as well as the coin-controlled device-ateach substation, and having at the central station the individualannunciatordrop and a common bell, and each second wire may beconsidered as the releasing-wire and has at the substation thecircuit-closing device directly controlled by the transmitter as thesignal is set and having at the receiving-station the individualswitching device JJ", designed to operate successively,-but in commonwith the common battery wire, through-the receiving-pen andsignal-controlling apparatus, shown as the break-wheel, inconjunctionwith these circuits. Special form of branch circuit is shown adapted tooperate the particular form of device here se-. lected-for illustrationas a typicalembodiment for this portion of the invention. These branchcircuits'are' operated by thelmain battery through the commonground-plate at the farther end of the battery and the grounding devicesGP, &c., connected with each of these These ground switching devices asa whole. branches are arrangedto control the motor portion of therheotome when a rheotomeis chosen which is to be driven in this manner.

This portionoftheinvention has-particular merits'of its own and isadapted tobe used inother relations, butis not essential to theoperation of modified forms of the rest of the apparatus.

Individualswitching (Zcrz'cc.This comprises aplate J11,- supported by aspring JS insuch manner that when the plate is depressed by the pressureexerted by the switch in g operator when he uses the electrolyticpen itwill cause contact to-be madelbetween. the contacts 37 and-38 andtobreak this contact when the pressure is removed. The plate JJ is inelectrical connection-withthe'releasingwire 10, butis insulated insomesuitablemanner,as bythe-rubber plate36, from anyconnection with theparts GP, which cooperate with the rheotome.

General operation.-When-a transmitter is set, the circuit is completedfrom the battery towires 6 5 3, framework E,*circuit=wheel 0, brush F,magnet-H, and releasing-wire'10, but remains openat the switch JJ untilthe receiving operator closes the circuit t'hereat bythe applicationot-his pen to thepaper normally resting on this plate,whereupon thecircuit will be completed through this pen and rheotome back to thebattery. When the teleseme has been set, no effect is produced at thecentral station, because'to produce this etfecta branch circuit must beclosed from the metal frame-E through the hasp and hinge of thetransmitter and then through the sup- 3?, .38, and JJJ,-

TIO

. mitter or, indeed, a direct or immediate trans- 6o plementary coin'-call, if this be used, and through the calling-line 12 to the individualdrop in the annunciator, and by way of the branch 7 back to the pin 7and the battery. As soon as the receiving operator notes this call (or,if in a manner analogous to that described in other patents of minerelating to this same general system of signaling, it be desired tooperate a transmitter from the receiving-station irrespective of thereceipt of any notification or call therefrom) the operator completesthe circuit by touching his pen to the desired one of the plates JJ.

As the motive device of the form of transmitter herein shown is, asalready described, of the impulse-actuated variety, it is necessary thata series of impulses be produced at the receiving-station, so asto..drive the impulse-motor in the transmitter, and these impulses maybe produced there by successive taps of the electrolytic pen on thepaper, thus causing successive energizations of thecircuit or byautomatic mechanism, which may be of any suitable kindas, for instance,a mechanical releasing detent or spring motorto operate a suitablecircuit-controlling wheel, but, as here shown, is the special form ofrheotomic impulse-driven break-wheel. If the transmitter used were ofthe spring-motor type, this rheotome would not be necessary and the pencould be drawn along the paper and the successive interruptions would bemarked by it, although produced at the transmitter. In the form hereshown the'pen is drawn along the paper and produces a number of markscorresponding to the number of im-v pulses which the transmitter-willcontrol before its circuit is broken bythe zero-spot D,

and these impulses are produced by the action of the controlling-wheelat the receiving-station, and this wheel in turn is moved by therheotome-motor, which is brought into operation by the depression of theswitch ing plate JJ and is again out out when this plate rises, becausethe pressure of the operators hand is removed therefrom. It will benoticed that the operator may with one hand control the manipulativeinstrument or pen.

and also control the switch which controls the rheotomic impulses sentto line.

It will be seen that though all of the features herein shown are partsof one organization some of them can be used without others,

and most of these parts can be greatly varied without departing from myinvention. For instance, for the impulse-actuated latent signaltransmitting there could be easily substituted a spring-actuated latentsignal-transmitter as far as the detector-hand or the automatic lock orthe supplemental coin-call are concerned, in which case the operation ofclosing the door or inserting the coin would by directly or indirectlyreleasing a detent cause the apparatus to be released directly. In likemanner most of the circuits can be changed. Many of such changesapplicable to the present instance are to be found in pendingapplications for patents connected with my system.

I claim- 1. The combination, substantially as described, in variableelectric signaling apparatus of the signal-transmitting mechanism;signal-detector mechanism for marking at the transmitter the last signaltransmitted; a locking device controlled thereby; and signal-varyingmechanism controlled by the signal-detector mechanism.

2. A signal-transmitter comprising normally open circuit-terminals and acircuitcloser for the same, a signal-setting device controlling suchcircuit-closer, and a supplementary circuit-closer in the aforesaidcircuit, substantially as described.

3. A signal-transmitter comprising normally open circuit-terminals and acircuitcloser for the same, a signal-setting device controlling suchcircuit-closer and a supplementary circuit-closer; the said closerclosing a supplementary break in the aforesaid circuit until againmanually operated, substantially as described.

4. A signal-transmitter, comprising normally open circuit-terminals, anda circuitcloser for the same, a signal-setting device controlling suchcircuit-closer, and mechanism for reopening the circuit, substantiallyas described.

5. A signal-transmitter, comprising normally open circuit-terminals anda circuitcloser for the same, a signal-setting device controlling suchcircuit-closer and a supplementary circuit-closer connected to a devicearranged to prevent access to the signal-setting mechanism,substantially as described.

6. A signal-transmitter comprising normally open circuit-terminals, anda circuitcloser for the same, controlled by asignal-setting device; anda supplementary circuitcloser comprising a hinged device adapted to beswung in front of the transmitter-setter device.

7. A signal-transmitter, comprising normally open circuit-terminals, anda closer for the same, controlled by a signal-setting device; and asupplementary circuit closer, comprising a hinged device adapted to beswung in front of the transmitter-setter device, andcomprisingalocking-hasp, the parts of which form the circuit-terminals.

8. A signal-transmitter comprising a setting device manually operated bymeans of a spindle and a supplementary circuit-controller comprising alever, mounted so that it may be brought into position toprevent furtheraccess to the said spindle, and controlling the circuit when so moved.

9. A variable-signal transmitter comprising normally open terminals; asetting device for closing these manually; means for varying thesignals; a'dial and pointer for indicating what signal is set; a magnetfor re opening the terminals; together with an ele- IIO ment arranged tobe moved so that in one position it prevents the operation of thesetting device and at the same time permits observation of the dial andpointer, substantially as described.

10. The mechanicallydetached but electrically connected manualelectrolytic receiver, comprising a vehicle for holding electrolyticsolution, and, inclose relation thereto, one or more electrodes; wherebyin the passage over the paper or recording surface, the said solutionwill be spread in the path of the terminal.

11. A receiving device comprising a recordsurface and a manually-movable element, the latter carrying an electrolytic stylusconnected by a flexible connection to a suitable circuit, and carryingalso a device for holding and delivering into operative position withrespect to the stylus and the surface a supply of electrolyte; wherebyan electrolytic record may be produced during the manipulation of thestylus upon an unprepared surface, substantially as described.

12. Areceivingdevice,comprisingarecordsurface and a movable element, thelatter carrying an electrolytic stylus connected by a flexibleconnection to a suitable circuit, and carrying also a device for holdingand delivering into operative position with respect to the stylus andthe surface a supply of elec trolyte, said device consisting of anabsorbent body or reservoir; whereby an electrolytic record may beproduced during the manipulation of the stylus over an unpreparedsurface.

13. A circuit-controlling apparatus comprising normally open terminalscooperating, by way of suitable circuit connections, with apparatus at adistant point; means whereby a signaling operator is enabled to jointhese terminals manually; a magnet arranged to control the opening of acooperating circuitmagnetically as the result of operation at a distantpoint; and means for hindering the manual reopening of the circuit bythe signaling operator prior to the magnetic operation, substantially asdescribed.

1-1. A circuit-controlling apparatus comprising normally open terminalscooperating, by way of a circuit, with apparatus at adistant point;means whereby a signaling operator is enabled to join these terminalsmanually; a magnet arranged to control the subsequent separation ofthese terminals magnetically as the result of operation at a distantpoint;

' and means for hindering themanual reopening of the circuit by thesignaling operator prior to the magnetic opening, substantially asdescribed. l

15. A circuit-controlling apparatus com prising normally open terminals,cooperating, by wayof suitable circuit connections, with apparatus at adistant point; means whereby a signaling operator is enabled to jointhese terminals manually; a magnet arranged to control the opening of acooperating circuit magnetically as the result of operation at a distantpoint; independeutly-operating devices for controlling this distantoperation;

and means for hindering the manual restora tion of the normal conditionsby the signaling operator prior to the independent magnetic opening,substantially as described.

16. At each of several substations, a circuitcontrolling apparatus,comprising normally open terminals cooperating, by way of suitablecircuit connections, with apparatus at a distant point; means whereby-asignaling operator is enabled to join these terminals manually; a magnetarranged to control the opening of acooperating circuit magnetically asthe result of operation at a distant point; and, at such distant point,a switclrterminal for each outlying station and circuit connections forbringing a common element into separate cooperation with the respectiveswitchterminals and thereby controlling the operation of the magnet; andfor hindering the manual opening of the circuit by the signalingoperator during the period between the manual closure and the magneticopening, substantially as described.

17. At each of several substations a circuitcontrolling apparatuscomprising a normally open break to a circuit leading separately foreach substation to a common station; means whereby a signaling operatoris enabled to close this break manually, and means whereby it is keptclosed; a magnet in series arranged to control the subsequent reopeningof the circuit at each substation; a second line from each substationapparatus, including, at each substation, a normally open break in thatcircuit, together with means for closing this manually, said line alsoincluding at its other end, an annunciator operated upon the closure tolocate the corresponding station; at the first-named common station, acontact-plate for each of the'tirst series of lines, and a commonelement arranged and adapted to cooperate separately so as to close thecircuit from a common source of current, and through acommon connectionto each of these lines through its contact-plate, and thereby controlthe operation of the magnets and the reopening of the circuits at therespective substations, substantially as described.

18. Amotor-controlledsignaling'apparatus at one station, and at a secondstation a controlling apparatus for the same comprising a surfaceadapted to receive paper for a record, a manipulative instrument, orpen,adapted to record on the paper and to control the motor, togetherwith a switch, including a yielding support, and operated by pressure ofthe hand which directs the pen.

19. 'Acircuit-controlling switch, including a plate adapted to move toand fro, contacts relatively placed so as to be relatively movable inaccordance with the movement of the plate, a record-surface on theplate, and a recording-pen adapted to record on the surface; the partsbeing relatively placed and arranged that an operator may with one handmake the hand control a circuit by the movements of record and controlthe switch. 1 the pen, make a record on the paper, and con- 20. Acircuit-controlling switch, including trol the switching by variation ofthe vertical 15 the horizontal plate, a yielding support for motion ofhis hand.

5 the same, a circuit-controlling device con- Signed at New York, in thecounty of New trolled by the motion of the plate with refer- York andState of New York, this 6th day of ence to its support; a reel, adaptedand placed November, A. D. 1886. to feed a strip of paper over theplate, a cirr cuit controlling manipulative instrument, BENEDICT HERLOG'10 adapted simultaneously to mark the paper Witnesses:

and control a circuit; all arranged and coop- 1 WM. H. CARR, erating sothat an operator may, with one AUSTIN TYLER.

